Spin message toy

ABSTRACT

Spin message toy with a rigid rectangular block member, a right side string loop and a left side string loop. The block member has a broad front surface and broad rear surface. The string loops are attached to the left and right sides of the block so that it is capable of spinning on a horizontal plane when a user pulls in opposing directions on the string loops that have been twisted by the user just before operation. The front surface has a first partial message printed upon it. The rear surface has a second partial message printed upon it. The first and second partial messages form the illusion of a complete message when the rectangular block member is spun by the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of children's spin toysand more specifically to a spin message toy.

A classic children's spin toy in which a disk is spun by pulling on anopposing set of strings is well known. The user winds up the toy bytwisting the strings so that when the user pulls on the strings inopposing directions, they unwind, causing the attached disk to spin. Theweight and momentum of the disk causes the string to wind up in theopposite direction so that the continuing pulling and releasing of thestrings causes the disk to spin for as long as the user would like.

The classic spin toy has a pair of apertures located near the center ofthe disk. The string is strung through the apertures forming a loop.When the user pulls on the loop in opposing directions, the disk spinsin a vertical orientation while the strings are in a horizontalorientation.

Although this configuration is ideal for a spinning disk, it is notideal for spinning a rectangular block shape in a horizontalorientation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a spin message toythat uses a spinning, horizontally oriented rectangular block shapewhose front and rear surfaces each have partial printed messages on themwhich create the illusion of a complete message when the toy is spun bythe user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spin message toy thatuses a horizontally oriented rectangular block shape whose front andrear surfaces have partial visual images printed on them that create theillusion of a complete visual image when the toy is spun by the user.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a spin message toy comprising: a rigid rectangular blockmember, a right side string loop, a left side string loop, said blockmember having a broad front surface and broad rear surface, said blockmember having a top thin surface, a bottom thin surface and left andright side thin surfaces, said block member having first and secondapertures that each extend from said front surface to said rear surface,said first aperture located near the left edge of said broad surface andpositioned half way between the said top surface and said bottomsurface, said second aperture located near the right edge of said broadsurface and positioned half way between the said top surface and saidbottom surface, said right side string loop attached through said rightside aperture, said left side string loop attached through said leftside aperture, said block capable of spinning on a horizontal plane whena user pulls in opposing directions on said left and right string loopsthat have been twisted by said user just before operation, said frontsurface having a first partial message printed upon it, said rearsurface having a second partial message printed upon it, and said firstand second partial messages forming a complete message when saidrectangular block member is spun by said user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a classic spin toy.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spin toy of the present inventionwith a first partial message showing on the front surface.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention with a second partialmessage showing on the rear surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention with a complete messagethat can be seen when the toy is spinning.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention with a first partialvisual image showing on the front surface.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention with a second partialvisual image showing on the rear surface.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention with a complete visualimage that can be seen when the toy is spinning.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a classic version of a child's spin toy.This type of toy is simple to make and has been popular with childrenfor more than fifty years. The toy works when a person's hands 8, 10pull on twisted strings 2, 4 causing a disk 6 to spin. The momentum ofthe disk carries it past the neutral point of the strings 2, 4 causingthem to become twisted in the opposite direction as the user relaxes hisor her pulling tension. The rhythmic pulling and releasing of thestrings by the user causes the disk 6 to spin alternately in a clockwiserotation and then a counter clockwise rotation. As the user pulls his orher hands 8, 10 in opposing directions, the disk 6 spins in a verticalorientation with respect to the ground plane.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention 100. Rather than aspinning disk, the present invention 100 employs a spinning rectangularblock 18. Rather than the block 18 spinning in a vertical orientation aswith the classic toy shown in FIG. 1, The block 18 spins in a horizontalorientation when the user pulls on strings 12, 16. The first string loop12 is fed though aperture 23 located on the left side of the block 18.The second string loop 16 is fed through an aperture 26 located on theright side of the block 18. The apertures 24, 26 extend from the frontsurface 20 of the block 18 to the rear surface 32 of the block shown inFIG. 3. Cylindrical finger grips 28, 30 help the user hold onto strings12, 16 and also help in the string winding process that is performed bythe user just before the start of the spin activity. However, the fingergrips 28, 30 may also be spherical in shape. My experiments have shownthat an ideal size for the rectangular block member 18 is approximatelyfour inches wide by two and one quarter inches tall by three eighths ofan inch thick. It should be noted that the rectangular block 18 can haverounded edges and corners to eliminate the possibility of injury fromsharp edges and corners. The cylindrical grip members are approximatelyone and one quarter inches tall and approximately five sixteenths of aninch in diameter. The cylinders can be made of rigid material, or can bemade of semi-rigid material such as rubber.

The front surface 20 of the block 18 has letters printed on it thatcreate a first partial message 22. The rear surface 32 of the block 18contains a second partial message 34. When the user spins the block 18,the rapid motion of the spinning block 18 causes the viewers eyes to seeboth images at once and to blend the two partial messages togetherforming a complete message 22, 34 as shown in FIG. 4. This blendingeffect is the same as that used in motion pictures where a series ofstill pictures is flashed before the users eyes so quickly that theillusion of motion is perceived by the viewer. The letters on the frontand rear surfaces of the block 18 may be printed on, or can be moldedinto plastic by an injection molding process. The molding process canallow the printed letters to be either raised, or sunk into the frontand rear surfaces of the block 18. Of course, the block can be made ofother materials such as metal or rigid paper, or ceramic.

The novel blending of messages can be used for play value, but can alsobe used for advertising purposes. One version of the invention isenvisioned where the surfaces of the block 18 a covered with a coatingthat allows the user to write his or her own message on the block, andthen to wipe it off when finished so that one can write a new message.The block 18 may be solid or hollow, but is generally rigid.

FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment of the invention 200 that shows afirst visual image 222 on front surface 220 and a second visual image234 on rear surface 232 as shown in FIG. 6. By spinning the block 218 inthe manner prescribed above, the images become super imposed on eachother as shown in FIG. 7. The images shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 would beideal for displaying on Valentines day. Indeed, the rectangular block218 can be envisioned as made out of paperboard forming a rectangularbox package that could contain Valentines candy.

Still another embodiment of the invention includes using a sleeve thatcan be slid over the rectangular block 218 where writing or images areprinted on the sleeve. Since the sleeve is replaceable and removable, avariety of messages or images can be attached to the rectangular block.

Another effect that can be obtained by the present invention 200 is thattwo images can be superimposed on top of each other by printing an imageon the front surface 220 and then by printing a second image in the samelocation on the rear surface 232. For example, the image of a heart canbe printed on the front surface, and the word love could be printed onthe rear surface in the same location, so that when the block is spun,the word love is superimposed onto the heart.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the invention 100 where strings 12, 16 areclearly shown penetrating the block 18 as indicated by dotted lines 42,44.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the invention 100 that clearly shows thespinning motion of block 18 as indicated by dotted lines 18A anddirectional arrow 40.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. spin message toy comprising: a rigid rectangular block member; a right side string loop; a left side string loop; said block member having a broad front surface and broad rear surface; said block member having a top thin surface, a bottom thin surface and left and right side thin surfaces; said block member having first and second apertures that each extend from said front surface to said rear surface; said first aperture located near the left edge of said broad surface and positioned half way between the said top surface and said bottom surface; said second aperture located near the right edge of said broad surface and positioned half way between the said top surface and said bottom surface; said right side string loop attached through said right side aperture; said left side string loop attached through said left side aperture; said block capable of spinning on a horizontal plane when a user pulls on said string loops in opposing directions while said string loops are in a twisted condition; said front surface having a first partial message printed upon it; said rear surface having a second partial message printed upon it; and said first and second partial messages forming the illusion of a complete message when said rectangular block member is spun by said user.
 2. An alternate embodiment of said spin message toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said front surface includes a first partial visual image printed upon it and said rear surface includes a second partial visual image printed upon it and said first and second partial visual images form the illusion of a complete visual image when said rectangular block member is spun by said user.
 3. Spin message toy as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a rigid right side cylindrical string loop retaining member and a rigid left side cylindrical string loop retaining member; said cylindrical members aiding in the user's finger's ability to hold said string loops in their ideal orientation for ease of operation of said spin message toy.
 4. Spin message toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rectangular block member is hollow.
 5. Spin message toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rectangular block member is molded from plastic and where said messages or said visual elements are molded into the said front and rear surfaces of said block member.
 6. Spin message toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rectangular block member is constructed of paperboard and forms a hollow package that holds candy. 